I'm honored that you are reading this. Really. With all the photographers out there who write about how passionate they are about capturing the beauty of love, you're sure to find the same stuff here, right? There are far too many fake people in the world. I'm out to change that. So let's be real here...

I love adventure. It could be as tame as crossing the levee and walking down to the river, or as crazy as going hang gliding on the other side of the world. Even though I now live in the city, I'm a wilderness girl at heart. On all of my adventures though, I want to be there with my best friend: my husband, Nick.

Photography is my part time job. Being a wife and mom is my full time job! Right now, we are a family of 4... Nick, me, our two year old, Evangeline, and our little guy, Atticus! I'm at home with my children, and fit photography into the few quiet moments of my day.

Watch out. If you make me laugh hard enough, I stop breathing. Yeah, I've sent many gatherings into a panic with my purple face.

I unashamedly march straight to the clearance section of the stores I adore because I love a good deal on high quality clothing, and I'm too cheap to pay full price.

Food is awesome. I married a man who loves to cook... I know, I'm one lucky girl. Grilled shrimp over a bed of creamy bacon risotto - yeeeah!

I love childbirth. Pretty weird, right?! I think birth is amazing and beautiful, and I love talking about the whole process. In 2011, I decided to launch Nola Birth Photographer! Find out more here: www.nolabirthphotographer.com
In summer of 2013, I decided to move away from weddings in order to focus more on this passion of birth photography!

I tend to be a perfectionist. I have to make things just right, far more than I should.

Toothpaste, anywhere other than in my mouth in small quantities grosses me out. Seriously... it makes me gag.

I am a cat lover. While my kitty has grown up a bit, and no longer fetches like she used to, she's still pretty cool.

The feeling of fresh grass or even mud swishing between my toes is the best. Being barefoot is awesome (in fact, I even got married barefoot), but hate the feeling of grit on the bottom of my feet when they should be clean.

What's most important that you know about me is that my life is not my own. I'm on this earth, for something much bigger than my own happiness and success. My worthless life has been redeemed by my God and Savior Jesus Christ. I was lost in my sin, but have been made new. A new purpose is before me - to glorify Christ in everything.

So why am I a wedding photographer? There is something so powerful in two people pledging before God and man to remain faithful until death. This is a serious matter that far too many people take lightly. But when I see a man and woman growing in anticipation of not just their wedding day, but a life of marriage together, tearing up during their vows, and celebrating their commitment to love and to cherish like it's the best thing that ever happened to them - I love every minute of it. I can leave a long day of shooting with the biggest smile ever because I know what those feelings are like. I know what it's like to not be able to wait a second longer to be wed to the man of your dreams.

My husband Nick is the second best thing that ever happened to me. (Becoming a recipient of God's grace being the first.) Nick loves me so unbelievably that many times I don't get it. I don't understand how he can relentlessly love me, when I fail him time after time. Each wedding I document is only the beginning of a relentless affection that will last for years - for those who are willing to take on the challenge and counteract the cultural norms. I adore being a part of weddings, where real people experience unreal love. I thrive on the moment when I know I've nailed a shot that completely captures that couple's commitment and affection for one another.

Oct182010

Melanie & Kirk: Married! (part 1)

October is FLYING by. How on earth are we more than halfway through the month already?! For me, this means I’m full swing into fall weddings. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick things off two weeks ago, than with Melanie and Kirk’s wedding at the Botanical Gardens in City Park. It was a lovely day, and their “vintage garden” theme (or really just things they love that kind of turned into a theme) was perfect. As I was picking out some of my favorites from the day, I realized that I had way too many to possibly try to fit into one blog post – so you’ll have to check back for the reception.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I knew that I’d need some solid help to get through these fall weddings. Thankfully, the amazing Kaylynn Marie was more than willing to be there for me! I love working with her, because I never have to worry about what she’s going to get. While I was with the girls as they got ready at the Roosevelt Hotel, Kaylynn went out to the west bank, to get some shots of the guys. Be sure to check out her blog for those, because they’re pretty fabulous!

Isn’t she radiant?!

The more details I saw, the more excited I got about the rest of the day!

Isn’t this the neatest pendant? The dragonfly body is made from watch gears!

City park was pretty much a zoo when I arrived. I finally found a spot to park, grabbed my gear, and booked it over to the Pavilion of the Two Sisters, just in time to catch Melanie and her brother Michael’s arrival.

(shot by Kaylynn)

(shot by Kaylynn)

The parasols were perfect for a noon wedding!

(shot by Kaylynn)

These two were so sweet to watch together! This is only the beginning of what was one lovely day. Check back tomorrow for some shots from the reception!